October 1, 2013

Counting My Blessings: A Stenciled Subway Art Sign

Life is beautiful. Despite all the challenges I've faced in my life, I know that I have everything I need and more. This project, which I made for last year's So You Think You're Crafty, helps me keep a reminder of those blessings up close and personal all year round, though it certainly helps add to my family's fall/Thanksgiving decor.

I know what you're thinking-- subway art. I've never seen that before! (Said no "crafter", ever!) However, two things make this a special project. First of all, I made this really inexpensively. The whole project, including all supplies, cost less that $10. I helped save money by using adhesive contact paper (like the kind you line your shelves with) for a stencil. I designed the layout of the words using my Silhouette, then ran the contact paper through the machine just like vinyl. I adhered the words to a painted wooded plaque (painted vanilla white, since that's what I wanted my text to be). Then I painted over the letters with my brown paint, let it dry, and peeled off the contact paper for a hand-painted look.

The second thing that makes this subway art special is the fact that it's personal. You are probably grateful for many of the same things I am- but, you probably have some different ones as well. These things are specific to my family, and speak to the things we've learned to appreciate more through each experience and challenge along the way.

There's nothing I love more than a fun project that also means something. My Stenciled Blessings Subway Art is both for me, and I hope for you too! What would you add to your "blessings" board?